Car-brake or dead-block



(No Model.)

M. A. MORSE.

GAR BRAKE 0R DEAD BLOCK.

N0.'417,330. Patented Dec. 17, 1889.

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N, PETERS, Fhaio-Lflh grapher, Washhiglon, D. C,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARK A. MORSE, OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

CAR-BRAKE OR DEAD-BLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 417,330, dated December 17, 1889.

Application filed March 16,1889. Serial No. 303,620. (No model.)

1'0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARK A. HOME, acitizen of the United States, residing in the city instantaneously stopped by using their own weight as afriction agent; second, to provide means by which cars can pass over the platform without being stopped, if desired; third, to provide means by which cars coming from either direction can be stopped. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view, and Fig. 4 a crosssection, of the apparatus, showing the hinged dead-blocks in position to allow cars to run over platform without being stopped. Fig. 2 is a side view, and Fig. 3 is a cross-section, showing the dead-blocks in position to stop any car running on platform from either direction.

Similar-figures refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

To an iron frame or platform 1 is secured by rivets or otherwise the rails 2. which rails extend the whole length of platform, and are beveled at their ends 3 to meet the rail of track on which the platform lies. This iron platform 1 is constructed of boiler-iron, and is made long enough to receive the first truck of a car on either end, as shown in Fig. 2. This platform 1 rests on top of rails 5 of track, and is kept in position by the angleirons 4, riveted to under side of same, as shown in Fig. 3. In the center and on top of this platform 1 are placed hinged dead-blocks 6, which blocks are made very strong and heavy, of cast-iron, and constructed in shape to conform to wheel of car, as shown in Fig. 2. The hinges of these dead-blocks G are made very strong and are offset, so that when the blocks are thrown down they leave clearance for passing cars, as shown in Fig. 4.

The operation of the appliance is as follows: If it is desired to stop a car, the deadblocks (3 are thrown up, and as the car, co1ning from either direction, runs on the platform and against the dead block 6 and assumes the position shown in Fig. 2 the car is checked and the whole platform and car begins to slide on track, but is instantly checked by the friction caused by the weight of car on the platform. If it is desired to run cars by the brake without stopping them, the hinged dead-blocks (l are let down, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, and the cars will pass over the platform Without being stopped.

The greatest benefit derived from my apparatus is when same is placed at the foot of steep inclines, where there is danger of the train breaking and a portion running away and causing damage. Under such circumstances I have a man stationed at the apparatus, and as the train appears at head of incline to descend the dead-blocks are thrown up. If the train comes down the incline without breaking, and when the train is within a few feet of the platform, the man stationed at the appliance throws down the deadblocks 6 and the train passes on. Should the train break during its descent of incline, the dead-blocks are left up and the port-ion of train which has broken loose is instantaneously stopped.

hen the train is ascending the incline, the man throws up the dead-block 6 immediately on the passing of last car, when the apparatus is in position to stop the cars in the event of the train breaking during theascent of incline.

'I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- In a brake or dead-block for stopping cars, the combination of the frame 1, provided with angle-iron guides 4:, rails 2, beveled at end, with the hinged dead-blocks 6, all substan tially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

M. A. MORSE.

Witnesses:

P. J. MAGUIRE, ARTHUR ARTHUR. 

